Manage permitted uses, consent, and disclosures of PHI

The organization may use and disclose Protected Health Information (PHI) without individual authorization for core purposes such as treatment, payment, and healthcare operations. However, when consent alone is insufficient, for example, to use PHI for marketing, most research activities must obtain explicit HIPAA-compliant authorization from the individual. Disclosures to another covered entity are only permitted if that entity has a direct relationship with the individual and the PHI relates to that relationship. All uses and disclosures must be appropriately limited to the minimum necessary and documented in alignment with the patient’s expectations and HIPAA standards.